Nigerian star escapes Messi's whip

Lionel Messi's absence from the Barcelona squad that will take on Granada after the international break will come as a big relieve for Nigerian defender Uche Agbo.

The 21-year old Nigerian who was promoted to the Granada firdt team from the club's youth system has been a key member of Lucas Alcaraz's team this season, bagging 21 starts from his 22 La Liga appearances this season.

A fifth booking of the season for Messi means Agbo and his partners in the Granada backline will now be spared the terror from the swift footed Barca forward who sits out the Nuevo Los Cármenes clash Bnext weekend.

Some would say the yellow card, earned for dissent late on in the 4-2 win over Valencia on Sunday night, was a little deliberate given the upcoming clash with Sevilla, which Messi will now enter without the burden of a suspension.

Previously, the forward had picked up bookings against Deportivo La Coruna, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, and the away game against Valencia.